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Topic: Height control valve leaking air (Read 915 times) previous topic - next topic

Height control valve leaking air

I know this topic has been covered here before, but I want some specific advice o the subject. 

Here's a picture of mine, just in case I'm look at the wrong thing, or calling it by the wrong name.




I think I have three of these on my 2004 U320.  This one is the left side rear.  It sits just between the and above the rear drive and tag axles. 
Mine is leaking air from the bottom through the plastic cover.  The leak is what I would call a medium sized leak probably about 5-10 pounds per hour. 

So my questions are.  If I pull the air lines to this unit will all the air bleed out of the system?  I know I will need to block the frame, but should I bleed all the air out first with the frame blocked before pulling the air lines?  And last.  Where should I buy a new one.  Foretravel? Ebay?  Does it need to be the exact same part or is there an after market replacement? 

As usual thanks in advance, and any other advice is welcome. 
David
2004 U320
This is my good stuff

Re: Height control valve leaking air

Reply #1 –
Quote from: David and Rita –

I think I have three of these on my 2004 U320.  This one is the left side rear.  It sits just between the and above the rear drive and tag axles. 
Mine is leaking air from the bottom through the plastic cover.  The leak is what I would call a medium sized leak probably about 5-10 pounds per hour. 

So my questions are.  If I pull the air lines to this unit will all the air bleed out of the system?  I know I will need to block the frame, but should I bleed all the air out first with the frame blocked before pulling the air lines?  And last.  Where should I buy a new one.  Foretravel? Ebay?  Does it need to be the exact same part or is there an after market replacement? 

As usual thanks in advance, and any other advice is welcome. 

Ride Height Valve - Haldex 90554241
There are 3 of them.
Bleed all the air lines from the valves in the wheel wells.

A little info on leaking ride height. Ride Height Valve Leaking?
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Height control valve leaking air

Reply #2 –
I had the right rear fail while driving.  The tires rubbed plastic just above and worn a hole in it but not much real damage to tire or coach.  I stopped because I smelled hot rubber.  No idea how the smell got from the back of the coach to the front other than the air conditioning was on circulating air.  Air normally exhausts out the bottom, but should not do it all the time.  If the coach is maintaining the correct height, you can drive it, but the engine air compressor will run more often.  I found that if all the air is not drained you can remove the air line nut before it starts to leak then the line may blow out of the fitting with some force.  Best to drain the air.  You may be able to buy one at a truck supply, large truck stop, or on the internet for less than at Foretravel.  The 2 mounting holes in the spare (bought at Foretravel) I had did not match with the ones in the frame plate, but one bolt held it in place until I could drill for the second bolt.  The next spare (not from Foretravel)  I bought, the holes had the same spacing as the original.  You must have the round fitting the rod arm is fastened to, orientated correctly for the valve to work properly.  There is a small arrow for that.  Mark the old one before removing to see how it is positioned.  All the valves are the same and can be used in any location. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Height control valve leaking air

Reply #3 –
Thanks for the good info.  Like I said, mine is leaking quite slowly for now.  We have plans to take a trip over the 4th of July weekend.  I hope to have it fixed by then. 
David
2004 U320
This is my good stuff

Re: Height control valve leaking air

Reply #4 –
David,
Are you in the travel or level mode when you have air venting out of the bottom of the ride height control valve?
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: Height control valve leaking air

Reply #5 –
It seems to be leaking at all times.  I did level the coach the other day.  I pulled the 12v compressor fuse, and when I came back 2 days later it was tilted noticeably.  This may be a symptom of a whole nother problem.  But one thing at a time.
I did order the part from FOT.  It should be here early next week.  I know I paid more then I might have, but I was assured it was the identical part, so hopefully no surprises.
David
2004 U320
This is my good stuff

Re: Height control valve leaking air

Reply #6 –
David,
With the coach up off the stops you can take the line that comes from the HWH manifold down to the ride height control valve off of the controll valve and put the end in soap water
If it's blowing bubbles the travel solenoid is leaking.
That could be the source of the air leak out of the vent on the ride height control valve and would also contribute to the leaning problem.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: Height control valve leaking air

Reply #7 –
Quote from: John Duld –
David,
With the coach up off the stops you can take the line that comes from the HWH manifold down to the ride height control valve off of the controll valve and put the end in soap water
If it's blowing bubbles the travel solenoid is leaking.
That could be the source of the air leak out of the vent on the ride height control valve and would also contribute to the leaning problem.

So are you saying that after I replace the valve I may still have some leaking?  cause thats not what I want.
David
2004 U320
This is my good stuff

Re: Height control valve leaking air

Reply #8 –
David,
Well, don't know for sure.
With the system in level mode or off, the travel solenoids are not powered and they are closed (no travel lite) so if you are venting air out of the ride height valve it could be (probably) a leaking travel solenoid.
So you need to do the line in the soap water check to confirm the condition of that travel solenoid.
It's not hard to check and you can either fix it if bad or eliminate it from the list as a problem if it's OK
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: Height control valve leaking air

Reply #9 –
Quote from: David and Rita –
It seems to be leaking at all times.  I did level the coach the other day.  I pulled the 12v compressor fuse, and when I came back 2 days later it was tilted noticeably. 

Quote from: John Duld –
So you need to do the line in the soap water check to confirm the condition of that travel solenoid.
It's not hard to check and you can either fix it if bad or eliminate it from the list as a problem if it's OK

I agree with John - and while you're at it, soap all the connections.  The o-rings in the HWH solenoid sixpacks are notorious for leaking, which could result in the tilting.

Something we learned during our 2011 issue, don't just assume the low side is low because it leaked out; check the air bag height measurements of the high side and see if they're unusually high.  We had a leak through a raise solenoid (internal leak) so one side topped out near 11 inches.

And don't forget your frame blocks to work safely under the coach.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Height control valve leaking air

Reply #10 –
I got it done today.  I got the part from FOT and yes I paid full price , $265 I think.:-(  Now that I've done it and looking at the cheeper ones on eBay, I will get one off of eBay next time.  The one I got is all metal and feels very solid.  The one that came off was a plastic or composite type of material.  The new one feels stronger. 
The good news, it seems to not be leaking now.  I tried it in various positions and it seemed to be holding air.  I placed it in level, hit the HWH reset and pulled the aux air pump 5 amp fuse.  I'll go by tomorrow and have a look at the air pressure.  before it was leaking down to about 30psi over night.  So hopefully it will be better.

On a side note, I did the work in the new RV garage we've rented. Temps were already over 100 at 9am when I started the work, but my new space was quite comfortable to work in.
We've committed to rent for one year, after that we can choose to purchase the spot with 50% of the money we paid in rent towards the purchase.  This unit sells for about 70K. So we'll see about that.

Here's what it looks like.
David
2004 U320
This is my good stuff

Re: Height control valve leaking air

Reply #11 –
That is a great deal. I had my friend build my garage and it was slightly more than that.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Height control valve leaking air

Reply #12 –
Quote from: John S –
That is a great deal. I had my friend build my garage and it was slightly more than that.

Yeah, I think it's reasonable.  There are a few issues that keep us from jumping on it.  Our old storage spot was covered and had 30 amp service.  They were ok with us setting our thermostat on 90 and letting one air run. With temps being over the 110 mark here in Phoenix area this week,  inside the coach the temps only reached 103, so I can live with that.  Also the old spot was only 5 miles from home.  The new spot is about 12 miles form home and only has 110 service.  The god part is 10 of those miles are highway miles, so it not much of a big deal.  The other issue is we've been toying with the idea of building a new home in the near future.  If we do that we would build it with a proper RV garage. By this time nest year we should know what we want to do. 
This space is a 16x50 spot, they have spaces up to 20x80.  Those cost over 100K.  Our 16x50 is big enough to open the slides and still walk around the coach.  I'm liking it so far.
Here's a link to their web sight.   
Big Boys' Toys Storage Condos - (480) 443-5650
David
2004 U320
This is my good stuff